2010 Audi A5, S5 Cabriolet

• Competes with: Convertible versions of BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37, Lexus IS and Volvo C70
• Looks like: The sexy coupes get a droptop version that isn’t quite as good-looking
• Drivetrain: 211-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder or 265-hp, 3.2-liter V-6 with six-speed automatic in the A5; 333-hp, supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 with seven-speed double-clutch transmission in S5
• Hits dealerships: Fall 2009

The all-new A5 and S5 convertibles will hit the U.S. next year, replacing the current A4 and S4 Cabriolets in Audi’s lineup. The move isn’t surprising; the new A5 and S5 coupes have sold briskly and won over the Cars.com staff as well.

Like the outgoing A4 and S4, the new models will feature retractable soft-tops instead of the newly popular retractable hardtops, like we’ve seen on BMW and Infiniti. However, the move allows for 11.3 cubic feet of storage volume with the top down. In comparison, the Volvo C70, which is one of the Audis’ larger competitors, only offers 6 cubic feet of trunk space with the top down. 

One major difference between the new convertibles and the coupes is the engine in the S5 Cabriolet; instead of the V-8 in the S5 coupe, the S5 Cabriolet gets a supercharged V-6 that makes 333 hp. That means if you pick the open-air version you’ll lose 21 hp. We wonder how much of that power will be missed by convertible drivers, though. It’s also not a big drop-off in power compared to the S4 Cabriolet, which puts out 340 hp with a thirstier V-8.

A5 drivers will get a choice of front- or all-wheel drive in the base, 2.0T models. A5 3.2 models and the S5 come only with all-wheel drive.

Prices haven’t been announced, but we expect them to be higher than the A4 Cabriolet’s $40,750 and S4 Cabriolet’s $56,775 starting prices.  More photos below.

Cars.com Faceoff: Audi S5, BMW M3, Lexus IS-F

Our expert reviewers begin with the assumption that the BMW M3 is the reigning heavyweight champion, the king, the Michael Jordan of high-performance luxury cars. Then David Thomas, Mike Hanley and Joe Wiesenfelder weigh in on whether or not two challengers to the crown have what it takes to top the M3. They'll take into consideration a host of factors, including engine performance, handling prowess and overall value. Check out this Cars.comparison to see if either the 2008 Audi S5 or the 2008 Lexus IS-F can beat out the M3.

Cars.comparison: Luxury Sports Cars (Cars.com)

Video: 2008 Audi S5

As the Audi S5 hits the market, with eager car enthusiasts awaiting with high expectations, Cars.com’s Mike Hanley gives readers a chance to see the S5 up close. Just like in his full review, he gives a comprehensive video tour of the S5’s best features, and under the hood for a look at the coupe's V-8.

Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Audi S5

Looking to fill a gap in its lineup, Audi debuts a new high-performance coupe, the S5. With sleek styling, a lush cabin and a high performance V-8, the two-door luxury vehicle has a lot going for it — not that Audi can afford to slack when competing against a popular entry from BMW. Reviewer Mike Hanley crawled behind the wheel of the S5 to find out how this coupe will fare against the toughest of competition.

2008 Audi S5 Expert Review (Cars.com)

2008 Audi S5: Through Ian's Lens

Like its big, bulky cousin, the Audi Q7, the S5 is first recognizable by its beast-like headlights and grille. The four rings of the Audi badge shine through the small chrome crossbars, and a tiny S5 badge sits snugly in the lower left corner, making people “in the know” aware that you’re driving a high-performance machine. The design team at Audi loves to play off the dichotomy of the curves in the logo and the vertical and horizontal straights of the grille and bumper. Small LED strips accent the main headlight housing like eyelashes and stay engaged as bright daytime runners. The rest of the car is designed with subtle lines that are smooth but fairly anonymous. I think the design mash-up of both European and Japanese exteriors is what I like most about the S5. It could fly by you on the road, and if you weren’t paying attention, you wouldn’t know what kind of car had just burned you.

Audi Announces A5, S5 Prices, Availability

Audi’s all-new A5 and S5 coupes have a price, but they won’t arrive at U.S. dealerships anytime soon. Manual S5s will show up in November, but Audi fans hoping for any other model under the Christmas tree will be a bit bummed out. All A5 models and S5s with the Tiptronic automatic transmission won’t be available until the spring of 2008. That makes their pricing announcement a bitter pill to swallow.

The A5 will start at $39,900 and the S5 will start at $50,900, both with manual transmissions. Destination is another $750, and automatics will cost an additional $1,300. In comparison, the BMW 335i coupe starts at $40,800, but we’ve heard from some buyers that those 335is are hard to find anywhere near that price — or at all. Perhaps Audi is wise to get people in the mode of ordering a new A5 or S5 now.

Related
2007 Geneva Motor Show: Audi S5 Photo Gallery (KickingTires)
2007 Geneva Motor Show: Audi A5 Photo Gallery (KickingTires)

2007 Geneva Motor Show: Audi S5 Photo Gallery

Like the A5, the high-performance S5 also officially debuted to the world today. It too will go on sale this November, with a powerful 354-hp V-8 engine and Quattro all-wheel drive. And yes, there’s a new photo gallery below.

Cars.com’s Full Report on the Audi S5

Audi S5 Adds Power to All-New Model

Audi isn’t going to make us wait for the high-performance version of its all-new A5 coupe. The S5 packs a 354-hp V-8 and Quattro all-wheel drive and it hits 62 mph in 5.1 seconds.

That should be all we have to say about that. The S5 will go on sale in November with a six-speed manual transmission. An automatic will be available six months later. Having the choice between transmissions is a nice plus, since other Audi S models come with either one or the other, but not both. The enthusiast audience still prefers to shift for themselves, especially in a coupe, but there is a growing group of those who enjoy shift-paddle equipped automatics.